The last Wulff to leave the den....
By Vicki Koch
20 Nov 2008
The Last Pup to leave the den, is actually what the sign said in front of our home the day I got married. I had two younger sisters and they got married first, I on the other hand was perfectly happy living with my mom and dad for the rest of my life...
My parents were both my best friends, I called and still sometimes call my mom Big Barb, and my dad, I use to drive him nuts telling him he was my favorite boyfriend... he'd raise his voice and say "I am your father and you are not my girlfriend" - I knew deep down inside I was his favorite, no matter what my sisters thought.
I grew up in a Navy Home, dad was gone for the first 10 years of my life - all but a few days home here and there from his time at sea. Those years my mom became my best friend, alone her and I tried to raise those two naughty little girls, daddy would leave us with.
Then in 1969 Daddy retired from 22 years of active duty and we moved back to Wisconsin and bought our first home. My daddy came home everynight from work and mom could tell him how naughty those two brats were all day. It was the Flintstones, nightly news, Gun smoke, vacations, trips to the the grandparents every weekend until I was out of High School, family was important to my parents. They made sure our famlies stayed close. Cousins, grandparents, great Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle to the 5th generation - we knew them all... because our parents made a point of making it important. even if the car-rides "Home" drove my dad nuts. "Do I have to stop this car..." "Stop pulling your sister's hair..." Janet stop singing..." "Mom, Vicki won't singing..." Brenda's spitting..." "Stop the Car!!! Brenda fell out!!!" That poor stationwagon had had it by the time we drove from one side of Wisconsin to the other.
Yes, it is true, I grew up the golden child in a home with two of the greatest parents in the world. Who would want to leave, not me!
My sisters were gone, (Married too young to the wrong guys...) it was me and the parents - sweet! - I thought that was how it was going to be for the rest of our lives. My dad would always ask me when I was going to leave, he'd say "Your mother wants to be alone with me..." and I would return "oh, no she doesn't" and her and I would laugh.... "I am going to live with you for the rest of my life, you wouldn't know what to do without me." and my mom would smile.
Then in 1984 a man came to take my hand from my dad, and in five months he had it. That is where this main photo comes in, Bruce and I had been married for a year a month and a couple days when we all decided to get the family together for a family photo. I was the family photographer - and we lived in this beautiful area - so it was set - everyone came and this is what we got.
June 1986, this shot was taken... One week later my daddy would be gone. A doctor accidently killed him and my best friend, my first Boyfriend, my mom's soul mate was gone...
My heart still aches when I think of him being gone, but I always say he couldn't live without me, and my mom says... it's true
So, since the Navy would not take care of this Navy man's wife, after he had 32 years of service in, we had my mom move in with us and so the fun lives on... my mom remains my best friend - she always makes me laugh - she is pretty funny with lots of talents...
I am and have always been very blessed... If I had it all to do all over again - I'd want the same parents to do it with...
2 responses
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H. Greer GullCottage said (21 Nov 2008):
A LOVELY FAMILY - IT IS NICE YOU TOOK YOUR MOM IN - IT IS NOT FUN BEING ALONE.
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Michael Adams gave props (21 Nov 2008):
Great article. Wonderful family times and a great tribute to your father. Your parents raised you well considering you took your mom in!
